My eyes widen as I take in who is talking to me. It’s Hyde. My cousin Eban’s husband. I mean ex-husband.
“My Lord,” I manage without stammering.
Hyde’s gaze is lingering over every inch of me. I shiver over the force of his scrutiny. He has always looked at me appreciatively. Perhaps a little lecherously. Why oh why did I ever think it was a good idea to flirt with him a little? Was I ever so naïve as to think it was just harmless fun?
He takes my arm and starts leading me over to the corner of the room, as I lament all my life choices. He leads me to a rutting stool. It’s not as fancy as the unused one in my bedchamber, but it looks perfectly functional. I swallow.
Hyde gestures at me to bend over it.
This has to be a bad dream, any moment now I’m going to wake up all sweaty and breathless and alone in my bed.
Numbly, I obey and get into position. The cloth of my gown swishes apart, exposing me to Hyde. I fumble for my brace and place it in between my teeth. Finally, I understand its purpose. I don’t want to give Hyde any more than I have to. If I stay quiet, there is a part of me that he cannot take.
Tears are flowing down my cheeks. I ignore them. If I move my hand to brush them away, Hyde will know. I feel him step up behind me, and I shudder. I stare out blankly into the room. Misery is clutching at my gut. This is without doubt, the most awful moment of my entire life. I never knew it was possible to feel so hopeless, so scared. I don’t want to give my body to anyone else. I want to belong to my husband.
Two bright spots of aquamarine swim in my blurry sight. I’m silently crying too much to see anything, but is that Harry looking at me?
Suddenly he is here, pushing Hyde away by the sound of it.
“Did you hurt him?” Harry snarls at Hyde.
“I haven’t touched him yet!” Hyde growls back.
“And you are not going too!” snaps Harry as he grabs my arm.
I stumble and trip after him as he pulls me off of the rutting stool, and out of the orgy and all the way back to my room. He slams the door shut behind us and releases me.
“What is wrong with you!” he demands.
I furiously scrub the tears off of my face. “I’m sorry, let me just clean myself up and I’ll come back and entertain your guests.”
Harry stares at me with an unreadable expression on his face. He remains motionless. I scurry to the sink and quickly wash my face, then I walk back to him with a smile.
“Okay, I’m ready, let’s go back.”
I head towards the door but he steps in front of it, blocking it with his body.
“No, you are not going back in there.”
I stare up into his aquamarine eyes, “Really?” I breathe hopefully.
He nods, and I burst into tears again, smooshing myself against his chest and curling my fingers into his shirt. His warm arms wrap around me, holding me close and I sob even harder.
“Why… why are you so upset?” he asks softly.
“Only want you,” I hiccup.
His hands move to my shoulders and he pushes me away, but it’s only to look into my eyes with deep bewilderment.
“Why? You barely know me, and a cock is a cock.”
Is that really what he thinks? How is he so damn cold? What the hell is wrong with him?
“I’m sure you love bending over and taking it from everyone and anyone!” I hear myself snap.
His eyes widen and suddenly he is flipping us over so that I am the one pressed against the door. My head thuds against the wood.
“What have you heard! Who have you been talking to!” His eyes are blazing with fury.
